The Art of Negative Thinking

Bård Breien
Norway
2007

I don't like women who are into cripples.

79", 35mm
Color, Norwegian with English subtitles

about the film

By far the blackest comedy of this year, The Art of Negative Thinking is cathartic. It centers around Geirr, a wheelchair-bound accident victim determined to show everyone how awful he feels and to make them suffer for it. His wife, who seems to love him dearly, no longer knows how to handle his bitter ways. Meanwhile, in a community center across town, National Health psychologist Tori teaches a group of disabled clients to ‘think positively’ and ‘focus on the solution’. The Art of Negative Thinking is the story of Geirr versus this group for twenty four hours. Director Bård Breien is audacious and witty; he admits no boundaries in his critical approach towards the politically correct attitude to the disabled, and strongly puts forth a dark yet invigorating juxtaposition of reality, pain and coping with both. That he can be funny while doing that certainly makes this title a masterpiece of sorts.

about the director

Bård Breien studied history of ideas and literature at the University of Oslo, before his three year film education in Copenhagen. He has written several educational films and short films, among them Que sera, sera (2002). He made his debut as a director with Franks prolaps which won the Amanda Award for Best Short Film in 2003. This is his feature film debut, both as script writer and director.

awards

2007 Karlovy Vary Film Festivali: Crystal Globe for Best Director Award
Torino Film Festival: Scuola Holden Award for Best Script
Rencontres Internationales de Cinéma à Paris Prix de la Presse
San Sebastian Film Festival
Montreal World Film Festival
Pusan Film Festival

screenings

February 18 Monday, 7:30 PM AFM Budak Caddebostan

February 23 Saturday, 7:30 PM AFM İstinye Park

February 24 Sunday, 12:30 PM AFM Fitaş Beyoğlu 2

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